Protests against constitutional amendments turn into riots, with buildings and cars set on fire.
Security forces were called in and a curfew was imposed on the French Pacific island nation of New Caledonia after a general strike and protests against proposed constitutional amendments turned violent.
Shops and buildings were torched in the capital Nouméa and surrounding villages on Monday night, after a day of action over a proposed amendment to increase the number of voters in the next election.
Many Indigenous people are concerned that the move will “further marginalize the Kanak people”.
Louis Le Franc, New Caledonia’s High Commissioner, noted the continued violence and said security forces had been mobilized from 6pm on May 14th (7pm Japan time) to 6am on May 15th. A curfew will be imposed until then, the statement said. (May 14th 19:00 GMT).
“The High Commissioner condemns in the strongest terms these acts of violence, which amount to serious attacks on people and property,” the statement said.
New Caledonia’s airport was also closed.
The High Commissioner announced that 36 people had been arrested.
New Caledonia is one of France’s largest overseas territories and an important part of its claim as a Pacific power.
Voters rejected independence in a series of referendums promised after the islands were rocked by violent uprisings.
Pro-independence groups boycotted the final vote of 2021, rejecting the results which saw turnout of just 44%.
Nouméa is approximately 17,000 km (10,563 miles) from Paris.
